Claudia or Louisa

[AnaMRT]

Where do I start… so I’ve had quite a hard birth and baby girl will be our last (which is probably why I’m feeling like I have to get her name right). We have spent a couple of weeks trying different names and none have felt quite right. I’ve changed my mind a couple of times and so has my husband. We’ve gone back and forth and the two that have felt the most natural are Claudia and Louisa (which would both be honouring family members). We like them both equally and will be sticking with them. I have even deleted the extensive list of baby names off my phone… I would be so grateful if I could get some feedback of which one do you all prefer the sound of please? We are looking for a name that is quite classic and won’t necessarily date. I think both fit that as neither has ever shot up to the top of the name charts.. all feedback very welcome ☺️

Louisa is slightly better.
Claudia always reminds me of...claws. Which can scratch me.

Claudia reminds me of the 80's children's books, The Babysitters Club. Claudia was the very cool, elegant arty one.

I think they are both lovely names. Louisa perhaps has the slight edge for me.

@TheCraicDealer

My DSis has already posted- DD is Claudia, aka Clauds, Claudi, Claudi Bear, Claudi B. We were stuck between India and Claudia and I'm so glad we went with it now. She really suits it and I love that it's quite "European" and is easily translated. Should save a lot of bother on the Eurocamp holidays we'll no doubt be going on before her dad and I are too uncool for her to holiday with. It sounds lovely with Olivia too!

I went to school with loads of Louises (born late 80's when it seemed every other girl got it as a middle name) so to me Louisa just sounds like you're trying to jazz up Louise. It's not horrible, just not as naice.

That’s good to know! We have family in Germany and Italy as well so we were looking for something that would be relatively easy to pronounce across Europe.. thanks for your feedback!

@GoodnessTruthBeauty

I much prefer Claudia and it works well internationally as popular in Germany and Italy. It just such as classic, clear name. Every Claudia I have met has always been elegant and intelligent so I think of it as sophisticated.

Louisa sounds a bit more cutesy to me. Not such a good name if you are a leader.

We have family in both countries so that’s encouraging! Yes I also think of Claudia as sophisticated..

@Jayneisagirlsname

AnaMRT my Louisa is with a 'z' sound, though I do think the Luisa pronunciation is really pretty. We're in England.

My dd(11) has never been mistakenly called Louise. She gets Lolly, Lollylou and Weesa as nicknames.

Let us know what you decide. I don't think you can go wrong with either name!

Aww very cute nicknames ☺️ Yes will post what we decide as we are registering her next week ☺️

@stclair

I have a Claudia and a Louisa . Both great names!

Stclair Wow that’s amazing! I’m assuming you still love both names and no regrets with either? They are such lovely names! What are other peoples reactions to the names? Do you prefer one over the other name? Friend suggested that Louisa is softer so suits DD better now and Claudia could suit her better as an adult as it sounds stronger possibly?

@Yearofthetygerburningbright

I prefer Claudia. I don't particularly like the sound of Louisa, and the name has some connotations for me (one of those names that relates to a specific person from school).

Although there's nothing inherently wrong with Louisa. It mostly depends how both names sound with your surname, really.

Would you say it as Lou-ee-za or Lou-ee-ssa?

I think Claudia works better with our surname as it’s a clear sounding name… We naturally say Louisa with a Z sound but like it pronounced both ways. I would like to have both names and use one as a middle name as I’m being greedy and it’s our last baby 😂

I still love the names. Claudia wishes (she’s 12) she was Louisa as embarrassed by the meaning! To me, Claudia is more elegant and Louisa prettier (sounding, not the girls!) and they are definitely not over-used names so the only ones in the class etc.

Just to weigh in on Louise/Louisa; I'm a Joanne and got so sick of being called Joanna by people that I now always, always go by Jo. And my cousin Joanne gets sick of being called Joanne!

@stclair

I still love the names. Claudia wishes (she’s 12) she was Louisa as embarrassed by the meaning! To me, Claudia is more elegant and Louisa prettier (sounding, not the girls!) and they are definitely not over-used names so the only ones in the class etc.

That’s really helpful thank you so much for the feedback! I read that Claudia can also mean Enclosure rather than lame… Does Louisa ever get called Louise? Yes I think Louisa sounds softer and Claudia stronger..

I prefer Louisa pronounced with a "z" sound. I think Claudia sounds quite harsh

I prefer Louisa.

Louisa. Pretty, classic, works well at all ages. Not too many around. I like Claudia too for similar reasons but it's a slightly harsher sounding name, to me.

Congrats OP! Both lovely names but I prefer Louisa.

Louisa

Tho I do love Claudia too.

I love Claudia and nn Claude - so chic. Less keen on Louisa because I loathe the nn Lou or worse, Lulu.

The only Claudia I ever knew was a particularly unpleasant cat so that probably taints the name a bit for me.

Louisa is lovely.
Claudia is fine.

Louisa xx

Louisa, though I prefer Luisa. Italian spelling.

Louisa is beautiful. I dislike Claudia.

I have a Claudia Rose! Love the name♡